All I Need: Hookers and Hand Grenades Book One

by Sammi Starlight

  I got up to our floor and realized I didn’t take a room key with me. I would have to knock and I hoped he wasn’t sleeping so soundly he wouldn’t hear me.

  I got to the door and knocked. There was no answer at first and I heard voices coming from the TV. He must be awake, but maybe he was in the bathroom. I knocked again, this time a little bit harder. “Cane, are you there? It’s Lindsey.”

  I heard him walk to the door and it clicked when he turned the handle. The door swung open and my heart began to pound in my chest.

  There in the doorway was a woman about as tall as me with long straight jet-black hair. She was wearing a short jean skirt and a barely there t-shirt. Her make-up was caked on so heavy I thought she might be Tammy Faye Baker’s long-lost daughter. She was chewing gum and gave me the once too.

  “Who are you?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest and trying to peer over her shoulder to find Cane.

  She snorted. “I’m Mrs. Stephens, who the fuck are you?”

  11

  Lindsey

  “Mrs. Who?” I asked, my voice high and shrill. In my head, I was telling myself not to freak out, but I couldn’t ignore the sense of dread that was increasing with each passing second.

  The woman shifted in her thigh high black vinyl boots. “I’m Mrs. Stephens. You know, Cane Stephen’s wife.” She grinned smugly at my jaw-dropping reaction despite me doing my best not to let her get to me.

  “He’s married?” I stammered and got up on my tiptoes to try to see past her. Where was that asshole? I wanted to claw his eyes out. Foolishly I was starting to fall for him. I should have known better.

  She lifted her left hand and wiggled her ring finger, showing off the huge rock she had there. It must have been at least 5 carats. I threw up a little bit in my mouth, realizing I had slept with a married man. I was a lot of things, but a home wrecker wasn’t one of them.

  “See?” She grinned and put her hand back down. “Didn’t he tell you about me?”

  I opened my mouth to speak but I couldn’t find the words. Instead I shook my head. Nope, he’d failed to mention while he was fucking me that he had a wife. Why hadn’t he called my cell or sent me a text to warn me so I wasn’t so humiliated. It was like he forgot I was even come back.

  I was so angry now I was shaking. I wanted to turn around and leave, but I had nowhere to go and all my stuff was in his room. If he knew is wife was going to show up, why did he invite me to stay with him? Knowing that sick bastard he was probably hoping we would both sleep with him - at the same time!

  “Well, what do you want?” she finally asked after we stood there for what seemed like forever staring at each other.

  “My bags are in here. I came to get them.” I failed to mention the fact that only a few hours ago I was in there fucking her husband, but maybe she already figured that out. Cane’s reputation with the ladies was no secret.

  “Destiny, who’s at the door?” I heard Cane call out from inside the room. I rolled my eyes; what kind of name was that for a grown woman. It was probably her stripper name.

  “Cane!” I called out and leaned over to see around her. “I need my stuff and I’m gone.”

  “You bet you’re gone,” the blonde bimbo muttered. I had never been in a catfight before but right now I was dying to reach out and start slapping the shit out of this woman. I had caught Cane with numerous different women on this tour and he slept with me. If I were her, I would leave his ass so fast and take him for all he’s worth.

  Then it dawned on me; maybe they had that kind of marriage. I had heard of people having open marriages and maybe that was the price she was willing to pay for being Mrs. Cane Stephens. She probably was no stranger to shooing away the groupies.

  I wasn’t a groupie though and I wasn’t about to be “shooed” away quietly.

  I could finally see his tall frame start to approach the door. His black hair was damp from the shower and he was wearing a faded pair of blue jeans with holes in the knees. He was barefoot and even thought I was raving mad at him, I had to admit he looked sexy as hell. Images of the sex we had early filled my head and my panties were immediately damp.

  Damn him for having that effect on me!

  “Lindsey,” he said, pushing his way past his wife. “I see you’ve met Destiny.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest and narrowed my eyes at him. “Why didn’t you tell me you were married?”

  “Yeah, why didn’t you tell her you were married?” Destiny piped up from behind him.

  “I’ll deal with you later,” he muttered, keeping his eyes on me. “Can we go somewhere and talk?”

  I shook my head. “I’m not really interested in talking with you right now.” I was too afraid of how I might react. I didn’t want to cry in front of him and admit I was starting to like him. There really wasn't a whole lot more to say anyway.

  “I can explain it all. Just give me ten minutes,” he pleaded, his blue eyes searching mine. “Please.”

  I sighed and tugged on the end of my shirt. “I need to get a new room. Maybe when I’m settled, we can talk.”

  “You don’t have to get another room, Lindsey. I meant what I said about staying with you the rest of the tour.” He ran his hand through his damp hair. “I’ll be rid of her in a little bit.” He glanced over at Destiny, the muscle in his jaw standing pulsing.

  “What do you mean?” she asked. “I was going to join you on the tour.”

  “No, you’re not,” he replied firmly.

  I had no desire to stick around and watch the rest of this little family spat. “Please get my bags and bring them to me.”

  “One sec,” he nodded and turned to go back into the room, grabbing Destiny’s arm to bring her along.

  As I stood there and waited, I could hear them mumbling, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Cane sounded mad though and her replies were high-pitched and whiny.

  It blew me away that he could be married to someone like her. It was one thing to fuck around with girls like Destiny, but marry them? Maybe things were different when you were a rock star.

  I was getting impatient. I didn’t have that much in the room. Why was it taking so long? I opened my mouth to call out, when Cane appeared carrying my stuff.

  “Do you need help with this?” he asked, setting it down at my feet.

  “No.” I shook my head, fighting back the lump that was starting to form in my throat. I had to get out of there fast.

  “Ok,” he replied, watching me pick up my stuff. “Remember to text me later so we could talk.”

  I didn’t reply as I turned and walked away. I fought the urge to run to the elevator; my bags made that too hard to do anyway. I wanted to get away from him as quickly as I possible could.

  I never heard the door to his room click and I had a feeling he was watching me from down the hall. Don’t turn around. I pressed the button on the elevator and prayed it would open quickly. When it arrived, I got in and as I turned around to press the lobby button, I saw him still standing in the doorframe of his room.

  When the door closed, hot tears filled my eyes and spilled onto my cheeks. I swiped them away with my hand and took a deep breath. There was no way in hell I was going to let that man make me cry.

  I had always known this thing with Cane wasn’t going to go very far. He didn’t stick with one woman for very long. Except for Destiny apparently. I leaned on the back wall of the elevator and closed my eyes. I was stuck a fool to think for even a minute he was starting to like me too. Sure, he protected me from Shaun, but what decent human wouldn’t help someone being attacked? I read way more into what happened.

  I stood up and took a deep breath as the elevator approached the lobby. This was no big deal. So, it was just sex. It wasn’t the first time and probably wouldn’t be the last. There were plenty of guys to make me forget all about Cane on this tour. Maybe I would forget about guys for a while and focus on my career. Writing for Rolling Stone was a dream come true and I didn’t
want to mess it up.

  The elevator arrived and I carried my bags over to the front desk. They were very quick to get me a room – a suite even on one of the top floors. They had someone carry my bags for me and escort me there. I couldn’t wait to get that bath and relax like I had originally planned to do before Shaun interrupted me. I wanted to climb into bed and sleep for days. This was the longest day ever and I was exhausted.

  I got to the room and tipped the guy carrying my bags before he left. I settled in and started a bath. I got undressed in the steamy bathroom and I couldn’t help but notice the bruises forming on me from the way Shaun handled me. I shivered despite the warmth in the bathroom and stepped into the tub.

  I managed to doze off a little but was woken up by the sound of someone knocking on my door. For a brief second, I panicked, worried it was Shaun back to finish what he started.

  “Lindsey, open up. It’s Cane. You didn’t call me and I got worried.”

  I relaxed but rolled my eyes. Worried, my ass.

  “I’m fine! Go away!” I yelled. I wasn’t getting out of this comfy tub for him. And how the hell did he find me anyway. I was really starting to wonder about the security in this hotel.

  He knocked again. “Lindsey, open up or I’m going to kick the door down again to make sure you’re ok.”

  “Fuck me,” I muttered under my breath and got out of the tub. I grabbed the plush terrycloth robe the hotel provided and wrapped myself in it, not even bothering to dry off.

  He continued to knock and call out my name. “I’m coming!” I called, cinching my robe tight.

  I opened the door. “I don’t really want to talk, Cane.” I couldn’t help but check him out as he stood in the hallway. He was wearing the same jeans as earlier and a band t-shirt similar to the one I liked to sleep in. His hair was dry now and he was wearing his black combat boots. My heart skipped a beat and I furrowed my eyebrows. Even though I was furious with him, he was still hotter than hell to me. That only made me madder.

  “Let me explain, Lindsey,” he pleaded. “Let me in and we’ll talk.”

  I crossed my arms and leaned on the doorframe. No way in hell was I invited that married jackass into my room. I was angrier than hell with him, but I also didn’t trust myself alone with him, especially with a bed nearby.

  “I’m not letting you in and I don’t want to talk,” I said.

  He let out and exasperated sigh and shoved his hands into his pockets. “What is up with you women? No one will listen to me.”

  “Maybe that’s because you’re an asshole,” I said with a smirk.

  “Maybe,” he replied softly.

  I was a little bit taken aback by his reaction. Normally he would have had some smart-ass comment to come back with. He was almost acting as though he was defeated. That wasn’t like him.

  “I don’t think there’s anything to explain. You’re married. She lets you fuck around on tour. However you guys want to live your life, that’s great, but I won’t be a part of it. I’ll see you around the tour Cane. Thanks for what you did earlier.”

  I didn’t wait for him to respond. My resolve was growing weaker and I didn’t want to cry in front of him or get sucked into sex ‘one last time’. I shut the door before he could say a word and walked over to the bed.

  I tore back the covers on the bed and slipped off my robe before climbing in. I slid my naked body between the cool sheets and closed my eyes.

  I was surprised and a bit disappointed that he didn’t even try to stop me from closing the door. He had women falling all over him every second of the day. Why would he fight for me when he could snap his fingers and the women would flock to him?

  Why did I think I was special?

  12

  Cane

  Destiny.

  In a matter of seconds, Destiny came in and totally fucked up my life.

  I still couldn’t figure out who she was. She claimed to be my wife, but I had zero recollection of her. Sure, with her bottle blonde hair and fake tits, I have no doubt that I fucked her at one time or another, but that was about it. There was no way in hell I got married to her. Cane Stephens doesn’t do marriage. Marriage is for pussies.

  She showed up at my room tonight and totally caught me off guard. When the knock came, I thought it was Lindsey coming back from her interview with the police. Instead I open the door and find my wife.

  What the fuck?

  Of course, I didn’t believe her at first and was about to throw her out of my room when the way she cried out my name rang a bell in my mind. The memories came flooding back and hit me like a fucking freight train.

  We met here in Vegas after one of my shows about four months ago. We were performing at some awards show and I was drunker than usual. And high. Since we were only in town for one night, we partied hard – really hard. Most of the night was a blur, but I would remember if I got married.

  Wouldn’t I?

  One of the other guys would have told me too. They would love giving me a hard time about tying the knot. Maybe I should talk to Diesel. He would tell me.

  I was almost to my hotel room when I turned back around to go to the hotel bar. Destiny had taken up residence in my room and I was in no mood to talk to her. I was furious that she upset Lindsey and interrupted what was starting out as a great couple of days. I was keeping her secluded though. The last thing I needed was for her to run to the press.

  I scrubbed my hand over my face, trying to wipe the look on Lindsey’s face out of my memory. She was angry with me and that I could handle. It was the look and hurt and disappointment that bothered me the most.

  I’ll admit it; I’m an asshole. I’ve hurt a lot of women since becoming a rock star and truth be told, I haven’t given a shit about a single one of them.

  Until her.

  I sat down at the bar and ordered a drink. While I waited for it, I sent my best friend and the guitar player in the band, Diesel, a text asking him to meet me in the bar. He’s the only one I trusted with this. He quickly sent a response, agreeing to meet me in about ten minutes.

  As I sat alone, my thoughts went back to Lindsey. I’m not sure why I cared so much she was mad at me. The sex between us was great – really fucking great, in fact – but honestly it was more than that. She was smart and funny and spunky. She didn’t put up with my shit or fawn all over me because I was Cane Stephens, the lead singer of Hookers and Hand Grenades. She was real and in this line of work, that was hard to come by.

  The bartender brought me my beer and I took a long drink, almost emptying. I set it on the bar and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. What the fuck was wrong with me? I was Cane-fucking Stephens. I didn’t fall for women. I used them once and tossed them out. So what if Lindsey wasn’t interested? Fuck her. I was moving on. This tour was full of ass and I was going to get as much of it as I could, because that’s what I do.

  I finished my beer and signaled for the bartender to bring me another. I was going to get shit-faced and find a couple of willing ladies to make me forget what a shitty day I’ve had. This time the bartender brought me two beers right away. Smart man.

  I was almost done with them when Diesel finally showed up. “It’s about damn time you get here,” I said. “I was getting sick of drinking alone.”

  Diesel looked around and sat down next to me. “I’m surprised you’re alone.” He ordered a couple more beers and turned to me. “What’s up, man?”

  “This day has been shit,” I replied and shook my head. I told him about what happened with Lindsey and Shaun. I mentioned I had planned for her to stay with me for the rest of the tour so she would be safe in case that douche bag got out of jail.

  “Did you fuck again?” he asked with a grin. He was the only person I told about the night I spent with Lindsey.

  “That’s none of your business, asshole.” I reached over to punch his arm. “But yes, we did.” I grinned and he high-fived me.

  “Nice.” He took a drink of his beer. “Why are you down
here then alone? Where is she?”

  “Dude, this where things really went to hell. She had to go give a statement to the police about Shaun. While she was gone, this stupid blonde showed up at my door. Get this. She claims to be my wife.”

  Diesel coughed, almost spitting out his beer. “What?”

  “She said she’s my wife,” I said slower this time, leaning closer to him so he could hear me. This wasn’t news I wanted to shout in the bar and have the press find out.

  “Holy shit. She’s joking, right?” He shook his head.

  “She claims we met in Vegas last time we were here and partied. I remember that part but I don’t remember marrying her. I was hoping you could shed some light on this. I didn’t think we were apart all night.”

  He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. “Hmmm…I vaguely remember that night now that you mention it. We were together most of the night but I went back to my room with those two chicks. I didn’t see you until morning.”

  “Fuck!” I slammed my fist down on the bar. “I was hoping you would know something.”

  “Sorry man,” he said and put his hand on my shoulder. “I wish I could help. Does she have proof?”

  “I’m not sure. I didn’t ask her yet. Lindsey came back to the room and found her, so she’s pissed at me. I had to get out of there before I slapped the shit out of her. I told her to stay put. I don’t need any reporters finding out about this until I figure out what’s going on.”

  “Right,” he agreed. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “Drink with me.” I said and waved the bartender over to order some shots of tequila. The beer wasn’t having the desired effect fast enough.

  “I can do that,” he replied.

  After a few shots, we spotted a group of women sitting in the corner of the bar watching us. I stuck out my hand and wiggled my finger for them to come over. I didn’t have to ask them twice. The ladies came over and we did a few rounds of shots.